Elton John, Leon Russell team for new album

• For the first time since they met 40 years ago, at Elton John's star-making stateside debut at the Troubadour, the Hall of Famer and another legendary piano man, Leon Russell, have collaborated on a full-length recording.

The Union, arriving Oct. 19 from Decca Records, captures the two titans in a genre-leaping live-in-studio session overseen by Oscar- and Grammy-winning producer T Bone Burnett, with songs penned both by John, 63, and his longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin as well as Russell, 68, and Burnett. Neil Young and Brian Wilson provided guest vocals for the 16-track disc; organ great Booker T. Jones, pedal-steel whiz Robert Randolph and a 10-piece gospel choir also contributed.

“In the late '60s and early '70s, the one piano player and vocalist who influenced me more than anybody else was Leon Russell,” John said in a press release. “He was my idol.” The pair went on tour together shortly after those shows at the Troubadour and New York's Fillmore East, and to this day hold each other in high regard, with John's fondness for Russell's music rekindled while on safari in Africa last summer.

Russell, by the way, returns to the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, $25, after playing Thursday at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, $28.50.

"Mark felt that it was an honor to be able to collaborate with so many of the artists on this record," his family said in a statement. "His time and dedication to this project was immense and his hopes for its release are finally being realized. We are glad that people will now be able to hear these songs and know the beautiful gift that Mark shared with all of us through his music."

Danger Mouse adds: "I told Mark that we'd worked things out with EMI back in January and he was very happy that the album was finally going to be released this year. Mark meant a great deal to a lot of people and I'm grateful to have made music with him and to be a part of his legacy."

Listen for Danger Mouse and Lynch discussing the album next week on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic (on July 13) and NPR's World Café (on July 14).

• Lastly, Queens of the Stone Age have announced plans to reissue their 2000 breakthrough Rated R -- perhaps best known for its lead-off track, "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" -- in a two-disc Deluxe Edition that will include six B-sides and nine tracks from the band's Reading Festival appearance shortly after the original was released.

The B-sides include "Ode to Clarissa," "You're So Vague" (a spoof of Carly Simon's "You're So Vain") and covers of Romeo Void's "Never Say Never" and the Kinks' "Who'll Be the Next in Line." The live cuts include three from the Queens' debut ("Regular John," "Avon" and "You Can't Quit Me, Baby") as well as "Millionaire," which initially turned up among Josh Homme's Desert Sessions. The new package drops Aug. 3.

Photo of Elton John and Leon Russell, from the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute to Neil Young in January, by Larry Busacca, Getty Images.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.